Fattori individuali e contestuali che influenzano le abilità sociali nei bambini e negli adolescenti: una prospettiva interculturale

This doctoral dissertation explores how individual and contextual factors influence the development of social skills in children and adolescents, with a specific focus on cross-cultural differences between Mexico and Italy. Social skills are fundamental for adaptive functioning, yet their development depends on the dynamic interaction between personal attributes, such as emotional intelligence and social anxiety; and contextual influences, including family cultural values and socioeconomic conditions. This research integrates individual vulnerabilities and strengths within broader cultural frameworks. The dissertation comprises three main studies. Study 1 presents a systematic review of 23 cross-cultural studies on autism and autistic traits published between 2011 and 2024 across 33 countries. Findings highlight that while individual factors such as emotional regulation, empathy, and social functioning have been widely examined, contextual influences, particularly family and cultural values, remain understudied. The review underscores the urgent need for culturally sensitive research designs that integrate both dimensions. Study 2 investigates the relationship between social difficulties, social anxiety, and family cultural values among 1,078 Mexican and Italian children aged 6–18 years. Results show that social anxiety consistently predicts greater social difficulties in both contexts. However, higher familism mitigates this association, while adherence to traditional gender roles intensifies it. These findings reveal that family values can either protect against or amplify socio-emotional challenges. Study 3, based on data from 1,022 parents, uses network analysis to examine the interconnections between emotional intelligence, social difficulties, social anxiety, and family cultural values. Across both countries, social anxiety and emotional intelligence were closely linked to social difficulties. Familism was positively associated with emotional clarity and repair, while independence and self-reliance emerged as protective factors, particularly in the Mexican sample. Overall, the dissertation emphasizes the crucial role of cultural and familial contexts in shaping children’s and adolescents’ socio-emotional trajectories. By integrating individual and contextual perspectives, the findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of social development across cultures. They also highlight the need for culturally sensitive psychoeducational and clinical interventions aimed at strengthening both children’s emotional competencies and parental awareness of cultural values affecting social functioning.